Angioplasty....does it hurt

Answer 1

First of all your nurse will give you some medication that will make you relaxed. The purpose is not to put you to sleep, however most do fall asleep. Don't be surprised when you are aware of your surrounding. There is no reason for anesthesia during a routine case.

We describe it as a relatively painless procedure. So here is what you can expect. Assuming the access site will be the groin. The doctor will give you a lidocaine injection in the groin. This comes one a needle, so your going to feel a sharp pinch. Next the doctor will puncture the wall with another needle, this needle goes a little deeper. Should feel some pressure from this. The doctor will then place a sheath, which will feel like some pushing on your groin.

From this point you should feel nothing. There are no nerve ending inside the vessels, so you can't feel the catheters going up. At one point, when they take picture of the left ventricle, you will feel a hot flush feeling through your body. This will pass quickly. That's it, most patient are surprised to know we are done at the end of the procedure.